Listing

I’ve always loved making lists. In my overachieving days, they were a key to my productivity. In times of overwhelm, they soothed anxiety.  As I began to shed brain cells, they often served as a much-needed memory aid. It’s only more recently that lists have also become a source of creativity and fun; a different way of looking at things.

As I was walking home from the market with my weekly haul of fresh flowers the other day, I was struck by how such a simple habit brought me so much joy. I smile every time I see the flowers on my dining room table or the kitchen counter or my nightstand. This weekly indulgence is fairly new, and I wondered how I’d ever managed to live without this splash of natural beauty. This was quickly followed by the thought “quick, what are five things you couldn’t live without?” Which was followed by “what other lists of five are interesting?”

The following mini lists provide insight into the workings of the runaway train of my thoughts and my tendency to perseverate on a theme:

Five Things I Don’t Think I Could Live Without

Coffee (the less fancy the better)

Pasta

Dark chocolate

Books

Fresh flowers

Five Things I’d Experience Withdrawal from But Would Likely Survive Without

Social media

Alcohol

The New York Times Games Page, especially Spelling Bee

Netflix

Jigsaw puzzles

Five Places I’d Like to See Soon

Portugal

Amsterdam

Niagara Falls

Nova Scotia

Ireland

Five Books I’d Like to Write                                                                                                                                

A kick-ass version of the memoir I’ve been working on for several years.

A guide for girls, young women, and their parents to identify and avoid abusive relationships.

A coming-of-age novel.

A comprehensive how-to manual for parents of suddenly chronically ill children.

A novel that requires massive in-depth research on several subjects I know nothing about.

Five Things I’d Save from My House in a Fire (Besides My Crazy Dog)

My laptop

My wallet

My Joy Jar

My crystals

A handful of photos

Five Things I’d Do if I Were Fearless

Stand-up comedy

Public speaking

Travel abroad solo

Make art

Find an agent

Five of My Favorite Smells

Sun-warmed tomatoes

Spearmint and eucalyptus

Cut grass

Citrus oil

Basil

Five Things That Always Make Me Laugh

Ridiculous physical comedy

A perfect comeback, even if it’s at my expense

Quick, witty wordplay

Absurdity of any stripe

A great, unexpected punchline

Five Things I Learned the Hard Way

That actions speak louder than words.

That if they wanted to, they would.

To trust but verify.

That not everybody has my heart.

How to love myself.

Five Things I’d Like to Do Before I Die

Reconcile with my son.

Take a challenging walking/hiking tour through a previously undiscovered location.

Help my talented daughter afford a gorgeous apartment/photography studio.

Fly on a private jet.

Publish a fabulous book.

As I finished transcribing these thoughts, I glanced over at my bookcase and noticed two almost forgotten entries I’d purchased years ago: List Yourself and 642 Lists to Write. Don’t say you weren’t warned…

***                                                                                      

Let’s talk! Are you a list maker? Are your lists strictly business or do you have any fun ones you’d like to share?